Fold-up tub spout



Sept. 30, 1969 R. w. NAGEL 3,469,603

FOLD-UP TUB SPOUT Filed Feb. 23, 1967' s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ber'rW.' a el Sept. 30, 1969 R. w. NAGEL FOLD-UP TUB SPOUT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Feb. 23. 1967 FIG.3

Sept. 30, 1969 R. w. NAGEL 3,469,503

FOLD-UP TUB SPOUT Filed Feb. 23, 1967 3 SheetsSheet FIG.II F|G.l2

United States US. Cl. 137625.11 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThis invention relates in general to water spout constructions, and inparticular to a new and useful fold-up spout for bathtubs whereby thespout itself may be operated to direct liquid into the tub by merelymoving the spout downwardly so that the discharge opening is alignedwith the bathtub.

The present invention is directed to a spout construction which ispartciularly adaptable for directing liquid into a bathtub, basin, sinkor the like, and it is an improvement over the prior art structures inthat it may be simply and easily mounted in a recess or receptor whichis carried on a mounting wall or in a recess in the tub or sink withwhich it is associated. The invention provides a construction in whichthe pouring spout itself may be operated to direct liquid into the tubmerely by moving the spout downwardly so that the discharge opening isaligned with the tub. The liquid will be automatically shut off when thedevice is moved backwardly into the recess defined by the spoutreceptor.

A three port variation of the invention provides a construction in whichthe raising and moving of the spout into the said recess will direct theflow of water from the tub to a shower riser, when used in conjunctionwith a shower tub combination.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a spout receptorwhich is adapted to the inserted into a wall or defined in a recess of atub or basin or the like and onto one end of which is connected an inletconduit for the liquid.

In a preferred arrangement, the spout receptor is advantageously formedor a metal part which is brazed directly to the inlet conduit which isconnected to one side thereof. The complete construction includes aremovable spout body which has an inlet port on one side which isadapted to align with the discharge port of the inlet conduit. The spoutbody advantageously includes an annular recessed portion which fits overan annular projection or bearing defined on the receptor or the inletconduit, so that the spout body may be pivoted thereon upwardly anddownwardly. The opposite side of the spout body advantageously carries apivot pin which is adapted to engage in a recess of the spout receptor.The pivot pin is advantageously biased outwardly into engagement withthe recess of the spout receptor in order to provide the firm anchoringof the spout body within the receptor. The construction is such thatwhen the spout body is moved to a downward or operating position inwhich a discharge opening therein is aligned over the tub or basin withwhich it is associated, a port defined in the spout body will align withthe port of the inlet conduit and water will flow into the spout bodyand be discharged through the spout discharge. The spout body may besimply and easily pivoted by rotation around the axis of the pivot pinand the mounting of the spout body on the annular projection of theinlet conduit to cause a port which is defined on the spout body to bemoved out of alignment with the port of the inlet conduit and to cause ashutting ofi of the water flow. In its upperatent O 3,469,603 PatentedSept. 30, 1969 most position, the spout body is adapted to be containedcompletely within the recess defined by the spout receptor. When it ismoved downwardly, a stop defined within the receptor limits the movementto a position in which the spout body will extend substantiallyhorizontally and in which position the port in the body will align withthe inlet port and water will flow out through the spout discharge.

In the three port variation a shower conduit is connected to the spoutreceptor in close proximity to the inlet conduit. The spout bodyconstruction will consist of two ports connected by a passageway and athird inlet port which would allow water to flow out the discharge endof the spout when the inlet port was aligned with the inlet conduit. Thelast mentioned flow of water out the discharge end of the spout wouldtake place when the spout 'body was in the downward, or approximatelyhorizontal position. When the spout body is raised to its uppermost, orrecessed, position the two interconnected ports align with the inletconduit and the shower conduit, thus allowing the water to flow from theinlet conduit through the interconnecting passageway to the showerconduit and into the shower riser. This three port arrangement wouldrequire the standard valve fittings to turn the water on or oli.

A feature of the invention is the simplicity of the parts and the simplemanner of the mounting of the spout to the receptor and inlet conduit. Afurther feature is the provision of the pivot pin construction on oneside of the spout body which permits the spout body to be inserted intoor easily removed from the spout receptor.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a spout whichis pivotally mounted in a receptor for movement between horizontal andvertical positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a liquid spoutconstruction including a spout body which is adapted to be retainedwithin a receptor and pivotally mounted on an inlet conduit at one endand by means of a pivot pin which extends outwardly from a side of thespout body into a recess in the spout receptor on its opposite end, andwherein the spout body includes a port or ports which will align withthe inlet when the spout body is moved to a predetermined orientation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spout for a tub, basinor the like, which is pivotally mounted in respect to its associatedliquid supply conduit and which may be pivoted to a first position atwhich liquid flows out of the conduit through the spout body and isdischarged therefrom and to a second position at which the liquid willnot flow out of the supply conduit and into the spout body.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spout for a tub, basinor the like, which is pivotally mounted in respect to its associatedliquid supply conduit and which may be pivoted to a first position atwhich liquid fiows out of the conduit through the spout body and isdischarged therefrom and to a second position at which the liquid willflow out of the supply or inlet conduit through a passageway in thespout body to a shower conduit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spout which may bemoved to a stored position in a receptor defined within a wall space.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spout which is simplein design, rugged in construction, and economical to manufacture.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fold-up tub spout constructed inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1 partially in section;

FIG. 3 is a section plan view of a fold-up tub spout construction inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial section taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a partial section showing another embodiment of the pivot pinconstruction;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation of the inlet to the spout body of anotherembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partial section of a plan view showing another embodiment ofthe port arrangement with the spout in the up or recessed position;

FIG. 10 is a partial section as in FIG. 9 showing the spout in the downor horizontal position;

FIG. 11 is a section taken on the line 1111 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a section taken on the line 1212 of FIG. 9.

Referring to the drawings shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 in particular, theinvention as embodied therein comprises a fold-up tub spout or faucetgenerally designated 10 which is mounted in a recessed fixture or spoutreceptor generally designated 12.

In accordance with the invention, the spout receptor is pan-shaped andincldues an inner wall 14, sidewalls 16 and 18, and a top wall 20 and abottom wall 22. The receptor 12 is mounted in a wall 24 to position it111 alignment with the upper edge of, or slightly above, a tub or basin26. The open end of the receptor 12 is provided with a marginal flange28 which forms a covering or finish around the opening of the wall intowhich the receptor is fitted.

In a preferred arrangement, an inlet fitting 30 or liquid inlet conduitis advantageously secured to the receptor in a manner such that theinner bearing projection 32 thereof extends through a sidewall 16. Theinlet conduit 30 may be advantageously brazed to the receptor 12 asindicated at 34.

In accordance with the invention, the spout 10 comprises a substantiallyhollow element WhlCl'l 1s boxshaped including flat top and bottom walls36 and 38 respectively, which converge from a back wall 40 to a shortfront wall 42. Side walls 44 and 46 taper from the rear wall 40 towardthe front wall 42.

The bottom wall 38 is provided with a threaded opening 47 through whichthe water is discharged, and in the embodiment illustrated, is providedwith an external outlet fitting 45 for effecting a straight streamdischarge.

The wall 46 of the spout 10 is provided with a re cessed portion 48receiving a rotatable boss or extens1on 50 of the conduit 30. An O-ring52 is carried in a recess of the recessed portion 48 of the wall 46 andprovides a seal between the arts.

In the embodimgnts of FIGS. 1 through 6, the wall 46 is provided withtwo inlet openings or ports 54 and 56 which are adapted to align withcorresponding openings or ports 58 and 60 of the inlet conduit 30 whenthe spout 10 is positioned in a substantlally horizontal position asindicated in FIG. 1. When the spout is moved to the upward or recessedposition indlcated 111 FIG. 2 from the dotted horizontal position, theholes :34 and 56 are rotated out of alignment with the openings 58 and60 to shut 011 the inlet conduit 30 so that no water will enter into thespout 10.

A feature of the construction is the mounting of the spout 10 within thereceptor 12, and for this purpose the spout 10 is provided with a solidsection 60 at the uncture of the wall 44 with the rear wall 40 which hasa bore 62 in which a pivot pin 64 is slidable. The pin 64 includes apointed end portion 66 which is adapted to ride in a recess 68 definedin a side Wall '18 of the receptor 12. The pivot pin 64 is held withinthe bore 62 by means of a nut 70 which is threaded into a threadedrecess 71 in side wall 44 in alignment with the bore 62. The pin 64 isbiased in a direction outwardly by a compres- 4 sion spring 72 whichbears in an interior hollow portion of the pin 64 and against the innerend of the bore 62.

When it is desired to insert the spout 10 in the receptor 12, it ismerely necessary to push the pivot pin 64 inwardly within the bore 62against the force of the compression spring 72 and to center the recess48 over the projection 50 to align the opposite side in position overthe inlet conduit 30, and to thereafter align the point 66 of the pivotpin 64 in the recess 68. When the alignment is complete, the pin ispermitted to fall into the recess by the force of the compression spring7 2.

In the modified form indicated in FIG. 7, a pivot pin 65 is providedwhich includes a head portion 67 and a shank portion 80. The shankportion is provided with a snap washer 82 which is dimensioned so thatit will not ride up the shank portion beyond a predetermined point andis arranged to receive the force of the spring 72 to urge the pointedend 67 into the recess 68. The pivot pin 65 is retained in positionwithin the recess 62 by means of a nut 70 which is threaded into theupper end thereof, as in the other embodiment.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 instead of the openings 54 and56, a single opening 84 may be provided in the end wall 46, and it willalign with an opening 86 indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 8 only whenthe spout is moved downwardly to a horizontal operative position. TheFIG. 8 shows the spout in the raised position with the openings 84 and86 not aligned.

Thus, in accordance with the invention the spout 10 is mounted in thereceptor 12 in a manner to permit it to be swung outwardly to thehorizontal position in order to permit liquid flow through the conduit30 through the spout 10 through the threaded opening 47 to which theexternal outlet fitting 45 is connected and through the external outletfitting. In this horizontal position, the receptor is provided with anabutment or stop 88 which is adapted to contact a projection 90 formedon the rear wall 40 of the spout 10 to limit the downward position onthe spout. The spout 10 may be rotated from the dotted line positionindicated in FIG. 2 to the solid line position at which it will berecessed within the receptor 12 in a simple or easy manner. When this isdone, the openings 54 and 56 are moved out of communication with theopenings 58 and 60 and the liquid supply is shut off.

In some instances it is desirable to restrict or hinder the rotation ofthe spout 10 within the receptor, and for this purpose a set screw 92 isthreaded into the wall 38 to bear against the pivot pin 64 in order toincrease the frictional drag when moving the spout or for anchoring thespout in an adjusted position.

The invention is such that the liquid flow will be automatically turnedon and off in accordance with the position of the spout, and the inletmay advantageously be connected, for example, to a shower, so that whenthe openings are not aligned, the back pressure in the inlet conduit 30will cause a diversion of the water to the shower head.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 through 12 there is provision for ashower head to be incorporated into the invention. The conduit 94consists of two passageways, a passageway leading to the shower lead 96and an inlet passageway 98. The conduit 94 is assembled for connectionto the side wall 46 of spout 10 in the manner as shown in the previousembodiment. The conduit 94 has an inlet port 100 and a shower port '102.The spout 10 has an embossment 103 adjoining the wall 46 and the rearwall 40 of spout 10. The base of the embossment which faces the conduit94 consists of three fourths as shown in FIG. 11, port 104, and 106. Theports 104 and 105 being connected by a passageway 108, and the port 106being completely through the embossment 103 into the interior of thespout end.

The face of the conduit 94 has the port 100 as an inlet port and ashower port 102 as shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 9 shows the spout 10 in a recessed or raised position. Thisposition as can be seen from FIG. 9 allows a flow of water through theinlet passageway 98 in conduit 94 through the inlet port 100 in theconduit '94, through the port 105 in the embossment 103 through thepassageway 108 which is connected to the port 104 in the embossment 103through the shower port 102 in the conduit 94 and through the showerpassageway 06 in conduit 94 to a shower riser and then to the showerhead.

When the spout 10 is in the downward or horizontal position as shown inFIG. 10 the face of the embossment 103 as shown in FIG. 11 is rotated sothat the port 105 is aligned with the shower port 102 and the throughport 106 in the embossrnent 103 is aligned with the inlet port 100 ofthe conduit 94 so that water may fiow directly into the interior of thespout through the spout body to the discharge end 47 and 45 of thespout.

As can be seen in the above embodiment provision is made for theincorporation in the invention of a shower conduit and a shower riserand head. This method would require that the fiow of water to the inletpassage 98 and conduit 94 be controlled by the normal bath fittings. Bysimply raising the spout 10 to the recessed position the water will bediverted to the shower riser and head.

The spout 10 may be easily removed in all the above embodiments from thereceptor 12 by using a screw driver to depress the pivot pin within thebore provided to permit the spout to be moved away from the extension 50of the inlet conduit, and the entire spout 10 to be disconnected fromthe receptor.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the inventiveprinciples, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A water spout arrangement comprising a receptor adapted to be mountedin a fixed vertical position, an inlet conduit connected into saidreceptor, a tubular spout of a size permitting it to be received withinthe receptor, said spout having an inlet opening adjacent one end and adischarge opening adjacent the opposite end, and means for mounting saidspout within said receptor with the inlet opening being pivotal withrespect to said receptor and with the discharge opening being shiftableby pivoting said spout so that it is movable only over a 90 degree arcfrom a position within said receptor to a position in which it extendsoutwardly from said receptor, and perpendicular to said receptor,whereby water will flow from said spout only when it is positionedsubstantially horizontally with respect to the vertical position of saidreceptor, said means for mounting said spout Within said receptorcomprising, a recess in the receptor, a bore in the side of the spoutcontaining a hollow pin slidable therein, spring means extending intothe hollow portion of the pin acting to bias said pin into the recess ofsaid receptor and pivotally supporting said spout.

2. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the saidinlet conduit terminates in a cylindrical extension forming a bearing,said spout having a recessed portion rotatably supported on saidcylindrical extension of said conduit and having an opening adjacentsaid recessed portion for the passage of liquid from said conduit tosaid spout, said spout being rotatable about said cylindrical extensionof said conduit over an are which is perpendicular to said receptor forshifting said spout from a position at which it projects outwardly fromsaid receptor and perpendicular thereto for the discharge of liquidthrough said discharge opening to a position at which a major portion islocated within said receptor.

3. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 2 wherein said inletconduit has an opening which aligns with the opening of said spout onlywhen said spout is oriented at a position in which the discharge islocated outside of said receptor.

4. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 3 wherein said receptorhas a projecting portion defining a stop which is engageable with saidspout when said spout is oriented in a position at which it extendsoutwardly from said receptor.

5. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said bore isthreaded and a retaining nut threaded into said bore and holding saidpin therein.

6. A water spout arrangement for use with a basin, tub or the like,comprising a vertically oriented receptor [adapted to be mounted in afixed position, an inlet conduit connected into said receptor, saidinlet conduit terminating in a cylindrical extension forming a bearing,a tubular spout of a size permitting it to be received within thereceptor, said spout having a recessed portion capable of receiving saidcylindrical extension and said spout being rotatably supported on saidcylindrical extension of said conduit, means for mounting said spoutwithin said receptor comprising, a recess in the receptor, a bore in theside of the spout containing a hollow pin slidable therein, spring meansextending into the hollow portion of the pin acting to bias said pininto the recess of said receptor and pivotally supporting said spout, adischarge opening defined in said spout at a spaced location from saidfirst recessed portion, said spout being rotatable about saidcylindrical extension of said conduit for shifting said spout over adegree are to a position at which it projects horizontally from saidreceptor for the continuous discharge of liquid through said dischargeopening to a position at which a major portion is located within saidreceptor, said inlet conduit having at least one opening in saidrecessed portion of said spout only when said spout is oriented at aposition in which the discharge opening is located outside of saidreceptor.

7. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 6 wherein saidcylindrical extension has at least two openings through which liquid maybe discharged from said inlet conduit, said spout having at least twoopenings in said first recessed portion to permit the liquid to enterthe interior of said spout, said openings to be of a size so as to bealigned with the corresponding openings of said recessed portion of saidinlet conduit and located so that the openings may be aligned for liquidfiow only when said spout is oriented in a predetermined positionoutside of said receptor.

8. A water spout arrangement comprising a receptor adapted to be mountedin a fixed position, an inlet conduit connected into said receptor, saidinlet conduit having a first passageway and a second passageway, saidinlet conduit terminating in a cylindrical extention forming a bearing,said cylindrical extension having a first opening and a second openingconnecting respectively with said first passageway and said secondpassageway, a tubular spout of a size permitting it to be receivedwithin the said receptor, said spout having a recessed portion capableof receiving said cylindrical extension of said inlet conduit and saidspout rotatably supported on said cylindrical extension of said inletconduit, said receesesd portion of said spout having a first opening forthe passage of liquid from one of said openings from said inlet conduitto the interior of said spout, a second opening and a third opening insaid recessed portion of said spout, a passageway connecting said secondopening and said third opening in said recessed portion of said spout, adischarge opening defined in said spout at a spaced location from saidrecessed portion, said spout being rotatable about said cylindricalextension of said conduit for shifting said spout from a position atwhich it projects outwardly from said receptor for the discharge ofliquid through said discharge opening to a position at which a majorportion is located within said receptor.

9. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 8 wherein liquid isadmitted only through said first passageway and said inlet conduit, saidfirst opening in said cylindrical extension of said inlet conduit alignswith said first opening in said recessed portion of said spout when thesaid spout is oriented at a position at which the discharge opening islocated outside of said receptor.

10. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 8 wherein said firstopening and said cylindrical extension of said inlet conduit is alignedwith said second opening in said cylindrical extension of said spout andsaid third Opening in said cylindrical extension of said spout isaligned with said second opening in said cylindrical extension of saidinlet conduit when the said spout is oriented in a position of which amajor portion of said spout is located within said receptor.

11. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 8 wherein a pin memberis carried in said spout on the opposite side of said recessed portion,means for biasing said pin into a recess defined in said receptor.

12. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 11 wherein saidbiasing means comprises a compression spring having a hollow portion inthe interior of said UNITED STATES PATENTS 515,552 2/1894 Phelps 2225342,025,851 12/1935 Davis 251155 2,283,893 5/1942 Leslie 4--240 WILLIAM F.ODEA, Primary Examiner H. M. COHN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

